Roshamma of Dubagunta, now in her late seventies, was the fiery leader of the anti-liquor movement of the 1990s which had rocked Andhra Pradesh and mobilised lakhs of women across the State forcing the Government to impose prohibition.
The spirited fighter is now back in news, but for a different reason. The Andhra Pradesh Government has removed her name from the beneficiaries list of old age pension despite her being eligible for it.
Roshamma’s family alleged that the local officials of Dubagunta village in Nellore district played a mischief and removed her name from the list. But the local revenue officials said that the list was prepared according to the recommendation of a verification committee. “If the family wants it can appeal to the Government”.
Roshamma, who was honoured by the then Chief Minister NT Rama Rao for her valiant role in anti-liquor movement and also found a place in the Guiness Book of World Record, was unlikely to appeal for the pension. The N Chandrababu Naidu Government has recently increased the old-age pension to Rs 1,000 per month.